Hot August Nights??

An interesting transformation from "wrenchers" to ranchers at the North Iowa Events facility seems to have peaked with the arrival of more horse trailers overnight.  It has morphed from some of the best modified racing in the country to a significant horse event, with around 100 horse trailers, some relatively small and others quite large and elaborate, mostly from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, but others from as far away as California and Tennessee.  Excited kids running around in boots and bow ties and belt buckles, leading very nice horses to activities and competitions.

Real people, enthusiastic about what they are doing.  Fun to watch.

The Weather:  Someone recently asked about the weather here.  Answer is:  we haven't been rained out in at least two months.  Here in Mason City it is just about perfect - highs in the low 80's each day with lows around 55.  Has been mostly sunny with some afternoon clouds.  Modest breeze, if any.  Perfect for outdoor activity.  

A Racing Story:  

Danny Crane is Joe Duvall's master mechanic.  He also builds engines for other racers in other divisions.  Very accomplished and talented guy, and a former racer himself.  

One night last week after a race here (maybe it was early morning!), the group was talking about various racing venues.  A track was mentioned that Danny had raced from time to time.  He recalled a race, which must have been around 2000, and referred to it as, I think, the Infamous Slide Job.  He scrolled through his phone and eventually came up with a video of the race.

  He was running second in the final laps of the stock car race, behind a guy named Carl.  In a final desperation move to gain the lead he drove hard in to turn three passing Carl on the bottom, only to immediately drift up and off the track as Carl drove by beneath him.  A classic "slide job" gone wrong.  We all, of course, laughed.

Anyway, Carl (Edwards) stopped at the flagstand for the victory celebration, greeted Danny when he drove by, then proceeded to do a backflip off his car.

A fun memory for Danny, of course, and an entertaining video!

This will be our 6th night at the fairgrounds.  No good reason to move on just yet.  Good camping, wonderful weather and nice folks.  The horse group will move out by the end of the day, then there is a race here tonight - local modifieds, stock cars, mini-sprints, etc.  

Our next race is Tuesday in Spring Valley, MN at the Deer Creek Speedway.  Then on to Wichita and then Humboldt, KS, and finally the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland MO to finish out the week.

Til next time.  D & L